Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 28 of 164 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports1 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
164 reports
92,000 miles · Nov 1, 2004
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR HOME ONE EVENING IT WAS IDLING HIGH AND AND EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS SHORT CIRCUTING AND THEN MY CAR DIED. THANK GOODNESS THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME BECAUSE OF COURSE THE POWER STEERING THE FAILED AND THERE WAS A SOUND OF METAL AGAINST METAL. MY FATHER AND I THEN CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR T…
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WHILE DRIVING MY CAR HOME ONE EVENING IT WAS IDLING HIGH AND AND EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL WAS ACTING LIKE IT WAS SHORT CIRCUTING AND THEN MY CAR DIED. THANK GOODNESS THAT NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME BECAUSE OF COURSE THE POWER STEERING THE FAILED AND THERE WAS A SOUND OF METAL AGAINST METAL. MY FATHER AND I THEN CHANGED THE ALTERNATOR THINKING THAT THAT MIGHT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT DIDN'T AND THE CAR HAS HAD THE PROBLEM MULTIPLE TIMES. NOW I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE IT FOR THE FEAR OF THIS HAPPENING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE AND ME BE STUCK THERE. THE PROBLEM IS NOT A FAULTY ALTERNATOR SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY CLUE AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10098123
86,000 miles · Sep 14, 2004
Exterior Lighting
THE TURN SIGNAL/BRAKE TAIL LIGHTS FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA ODI #10092050
121,000 miles · Sep 13, 2004
SteeringCrash
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, CAUSING THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO HIT A POLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO STEERING RACK FAILURE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10083913
120,000 miles · Sep 10, 2004
EquipmentExterior LightingSteering
RECALL 03V527000 CONCERNING STEERING GEAR BEARINGS. CONSUMER HAD A CONCERN WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE LOST STEERING CONTROL. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONER/ HAZARD LIGHTS, AND DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10091815
Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2004
Steering
VEHICLE'S STEERING WENT OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. *MR RECALL #750283. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED HER MONEY BACK. *SC IN JAN. 2004 A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO SEND IN HER PAPERWORK AND A REIMBURSEMENT CHECK WOULD BE SENT TO HER, BUT INSTEAD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A DEN…
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VEHICLE'S STEERING WENT OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. *MR RECALL #750283. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED HER MONEY BACK. *SC IN JAN. 2004 A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THE STEERING RACK AND PINION. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO SEND IN HER PAPERWORK AND A REIMBURSEMENT CHECK WOULD BE SENT TO HER, BUT INSTEAD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A DENIAL LETTER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE REASON FOR THE DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT WAS BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT A GM DEALER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10083751
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081757
36,366 miles · Jul 12, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO VIN#[XXX] MILES 36,366 DATE 04/12/02 HEAD GASKET BLOWN (RESEAL INTAKE MANIFOLD) SERVICE#47886 ANDREW CHEVROLET 1500 WEST SILVER SPRING MILWAUKEE,WISC. 53209 REPAIR COST $916.58 REASON GIVEN WHY IT WENT OUT BY SERVICE TECH ENGINE HEATS UP AND COOLS DOWN. 05/14/04 MILEAGE 48,933 SERVICE #89628 HEAD GASK…
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1997 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO VIN#[XXX] MILES 36,366 DATE 04/12/02 HEAD GASKET BLOWN (RESEAL INTAKE MANIFOLD) SERVICE#47886 ANDREW CHEVROLET 1500 WEST SILVER SPRING MILWAUKEE,WISC. 53209 REPAIR COST $916.58 REASON GIVEN WHY IT WENT OUT BY SERVICE TECH ENGINE HEATS UP AND COOLS DOWN. 05/14/04 MILEAGE 48,933 SERVICE #89628 HEAD GASKET AGAIN BLOWN(RESEAL INTAKE MANIFOLD WANT ANOTHER $8-900 REFUSED TO PAY AGAIN CAR SITS AT HOME. *LA UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #10080904
94,000 miles · May 20, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE SKIDDED ON AN ICY PATCH ON THE ROAD, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE FACE AND NECK, AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND A BLACK EYE. DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *A…
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WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH VEHICLE SKIDDED ON AN ICY PATCH ON THE ROAD, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE FACE AND NECK, AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION AND A BLACK EYE. DUE TO SEVERE DAMAGE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *LA
NHTSA ODI #10065434
64,897 miles · May 4, 2004
Steering
CONSUMER'S CLAIM WAS DENIED FOR REIMBURSEMENT SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE DONE PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *PH
NHTSA ODI #10072107
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 2004
Steering
STEERING WHEEL DID NOT TURN UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND HE DETERMINED THE RACK AND PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES HAVE LOWER PINION BEARINGS IN THE POWER RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN WHICH THE RETAINER TABS WERE NOT CRIMPED PROPERLY. THESE RETAINERS COULD FAIL AND PERMIT THE BALL BEARINGS TO ESCAPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURS, THE PINION SHAFT CAN BE FORCED UPWARD DURING LEFT TURNS AND BACK DOWN AS THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND TO THE RIGHT. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL NEED TO EXERT MORE EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, SIMILAR TO A VEHICLE WITHOUT POWER ASSISTED STEERING. IF THE PINION SHAFT MOVES EVEN FURTHER, THE DRIVER WILL REQUIRE MUCH HIGHER EFFORT TO TURN LEFT AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AS MUCH AS INTENDED. WITH THE MAXIMUM PINION SHAFT MOVEMENT, WHICH REQUIRES INTERNAL GEAR COMPONENT DAMAGE, THE DRIVER CAN ENCOUNTER HIGH RESISTANCE TO TURNING LEFT, FOLLOWED BY UNINTENDED POWER ASSIST TO THE RIGHT. IN ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOWER PINION BEARING UNLESS INSPECT OF THE EXISTING BEARING INDICATES THAT REPLACEMENT OF THE GEAR ASSEMBLY IS NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4
EA03019 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Sep 15, 2003 · Closed Dec 18, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM'S LETTER TO NHTSA DATED DECEMBER 11, 2003, EXPANDS ITS ORIGINAL RECALL (NHTSA 02V286) TO INCLUDE CERTAIN W-BODY VEHICLES: 96-97 OLDS CUTLASS SUPREME; 98 OLDS INTRIGUE; 97-98 OLDS CUTLASS; 97-98 CHEVY LUMINA, MONTE CARLO AND MALIBU; 96 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX; AND 96-98 BUICK REGAL.THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES RECALLED IS 750,283.GM DETERMINED THAT FAILURE OF THE RACK AND PINION IS RELATED TO DAMAGE OF THE LOWER PINION BEARING AND THE LEVEL OF THE PINION BEARING PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE.GM STATES, HIGHER RACK PRE-LOAD SPRING FORCE (133 LB.) IS THE DESIGN CHARACTERISTIC MOST CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH HIGHER BEARING DAMAGE RATES IN MOST OF THE VEHICLE APPLICATIONS THAT USED THE GENERAL BEARING COMPANY (GBC) BEARING.ALL OF THE VEHICLES COVERED IN THE EXPANDED RECALL HAVE THE 133 LB SPRING FORCE.THE 96 LUMINA/MONTE CARLO AND 97-98 CENTURY W-BODY VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS INVESTIGATION UTILIZE A LOWER SPRING FORCE AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
RQ03001 · Power Rack And Pinion Steering Failure
Opened Jan 2, 2003 · Closed Sep 15, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
Steering:rack And Pinion
GM CONDUCTED A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 02V286) TO ADDRESS A STEERING DEFECT PERTAINING TO A LOWER PINION BEARING (LPB) WITHIN THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR (R&P). THE RECALL COVERED 1,159,156 MODEL YEAR 1997-1998 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997, 1996-1998 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT, CHEVROLET LUMINA APV, CHEVROLET VENTURE, OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE MINIVANS, AND CHEVROLET CAVALIER AND PONTIAC SUNFIRE SEDANS BUILT BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 1996 AND OCTOBER 31, 1997.ODI OPENED THIS RQ AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES WERE EXHIBITING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES.BASED ON ODI'S REVIEW OF TECHNICAL AND COMPLAINT DATA COLLECTED DURING THE RQ, THE W-CARS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH EITHER A HIGHER STEERING COMPLAINT RATE OR A HIGHER LPB FAILURE RATE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLES INVESTIGATED UNDER THE RQ AND ARE ABOVE OR NEAR THE RATES FOR THE RECALLED VEHICLES.THUS, ODI WILL FURTHER EXAMINE THE W-CARS (1996-1997 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME, 1996-1998 BUICK REGAL, CHEVROLET LUMINA, CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO, 1997-1998 BUICK CENTURY, AND 1998 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE) UNDER A NEW INVESTIGATION, ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA)03-019.
EA98019 · Degraded Braking Performance
Opened Aug 31, 1998 · Closed Dec 13, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE98023 · Degraded Braking Performance
Opened Apr 23, 1998 · Closed Aug 31, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
No summary supplied.
1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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